What is colloquy?
Commissioned ministry colloquy programs prepare men and women who are currently serving in ministry roles for membership in the Synod. (Bylaw 3.10.3)
Colloquy programs ensure that those who seek to join the Synod have been educated in theology, have become oriented to service to the Synod and have demonstrated the spiritual and professional attributes that the Synod expects of its members. (Bylaw 3.10.3.a)
Qualified applicants are those who are competent workers in the field for which they seek colloquy. (Bylaw 3.10.3.b)
The word “colloquy,” from the Latin “colloquium,” means “a conversation.” As used in the LCMS, the word in its narrow sense refers specifically to the theological examination which is the culmination of the colloquy process and which also touches on the applicant’s background, history, etc. in order to determine his or her fitness for ministry and whether or not to certify him or her to receive a call and initial placement into the commissioned ministry of the LCMS. In its wider sense, the term colloquy refers to the entire colloquy process, delineated in the policy manual, by which a person may be called and rostered as a Minister of Religion—Commissioned in the LCMS.
While teachers comprise the vast majority of commissioned colloquies in the LCMS, other categories of commissioned ministry for which a person may apply for colloquy include directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, directors of family life ministry, directors of parish music, deaconesses, parish assistants and directors of church ministries (LCMS Bylaw 2.6.1.1).
If you already have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in the colloquy program, please visit lcms.org for more information.